"The Dark Knight" Movie Review!!!

The review I wrote for The Dark Knight back in July...


Where do I begin with a movie such as "The Dark Knight"??? Well, I'll tell you where I won't go and that is about the story itself. But of course, everyone knows this movie brings back one of pop culture's favorite villains: the Joker. But I'll get to him soon enough. I had to see this movie although it may not have been the best timing for me as I am currently in self-imposed exile studying for the bar exam. And, this is my first review in a long time...

This movie is dark. This movie is violent. This movie is completely out-of-hand and out of control. This movie should have been called, "The Joker," as he simply steals the show. No doubt. But, again...I'll get to him soon enough.

Christian Bale as the Batman. Those of you who know me know I am a huge Bale fan. He does the job. Aside from how well made this movie is, the pace, the story, the action, the Joker...what I loved about this movie is the actors (except Maggie Gyllenhaal). Of course you have the greats returning: Sir Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman. Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent does a really keen job. But this is where the magic comes in - the special guest appearances: Cillian Murphy (the Scarecrow) makes a cameo guest appearance. William Fichtner (Heat, Black Hawk Down) makes a cameo. Hell...even Tommy "Tiny" Lister makes a cameo (I haven't seen him in much of anything lately) which was great! Then you have Anthony Michael Hall (The Breakfast Club) as a news reporter. But the one person I was not expecting and who, I thought, did extremely well in a much-deserved role: Eric Roberts. I have been a fan of Roberts (Julia Roberts' brother) for some time. He's always been under the radar, but always made decent movies. Off the top of my head, I think of The Specialist (with Stallone), Heaven's Prisoners (with Alec Baldwin), and of course Best of the Best (with the late, great Chris Penn). It was good to see Roberts in a major summer blockbuster. And lastly, in an uncredited role, Nicky Katt (Boiler Room) as a SWAT team member riding shotgun in an armored car during a ridiculous chase scene.
(When watching the movie, ask yourself, "Who's driving the armored car?")

Now, the Joker. Heath Ledger. First off, when I found out Ledger was playing the Joker I honestly believed that the franchise would take a fall. Heath Ledger as the Joker??? Are you kidding me???!!!??? Ledger taking the reins from the none other than Jack Nicholson? C'mon....

If Ledger does not win the Oscar for his performance as the Joker I will be more pissed than I was when Val Kilmer, playing Doc Holliday in Tombstone, was not even recognized by the Academy. Ledger is no joke when it comes to the Joker. This character is a twisted, sick individual played brilliantly by Ledger. I don't know what else to say other than "RUN...DON'T WALK" to the theater to see this movie just because of Ledger's performance as the Joker. Whatever you may think of Ledger, Brokeback Mountain, or the Joker...one thing I will guarantee is that once you watch the Joker make that pencil disappear in the beginning of the movie - you will laugh, say, "God Damn!", and think to yourself, "Here we go...it's about time."

This movie is much more than a comic book movie. This movie has been compared to great crime-dramas such as Heat and The Departed...a much deserved comparison in my opinion. I don't know how anyone will not enjoy this movie, especially with Ledger's Joker.
Phenomenal!!!

Lastly...as big a fan I am of Bale...no one is/was a better Batman than Michael Keaton.